PeppTalks with Jeanne Pepper

Emmy Award winning producer/director/writer Glenn Kirschbaum has spent more than forty years working in television production. A native of Boston, Glenn has overseen hundreds of hours of programming on such networks as The History Channel, A & E, Discovery, National Geographic, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, and HGTV. Episode 346 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Glenn Kirschbaum Producer...

Avigail Victoria "Avi" Finley is a modern-day ethicist, writer, and public intellectual who is redefining how ethical frameworks apply to daily life. Her unique worldview is forged from a diverse and deeply human background, spanning service as an Israeli combat medic, years of educational and community work, and high-level technology-policy research at the Zvi Meitar Institute. This rich tapestry...

Jill and Amnon Damti are a pioneering deaf and hearing dance duo whose work transcends physical boundaries and redefines how we communicate. As the creators of the globally recognized "Two Worlds" performance, this Israeli couple bridges the gap between deaf and hearing cultures through a mesmerizing fusion of movement, spoken word, and pantomime. Their partnership is a powerful demonstration of h...

The Jets & Jellyfish podcast was born from a shared belief that meaningful travel isn’t measured by how many places you visit, but by how deeply you experience them and how positively you impact the communities you touch. Co-created by Robert Millar and Amber Billingsley, alongside Executive Producer Eli Moskowitz, the travel brand bridges high-comfort adventure with purposeful service, wildli...

In this exciting episode of PeppTalks With Jeanne, host Jeanne Pepper sits down with the immensely talented Australian television producer and emerging documentary director, Bryanna Reynolds. With a resume boasting over 200 episodes of prime-time cable and streaming television, Bryanna has made an incredible mark on the unscripted television landscape. From her early days in Melbourne to chasing h...

Nikka Gershman is an internationally acclaimed flute soloist, composer, and founder of the Music Society of the Future. Hailed as a "Magic Flutist" and recognized worldwide for her extraordinary musical maturity, she made history as the youngest-ever Kovner Fellow at The Juilliard School. Beyond her virtuosity on stage, Nikka is dedicated to expanding classical music’s reach by performing as a sol...

Angelique Fawcette is an acclaimed independent film producer, CEO, and fierce human rights activist who has dedicated a substantial portion of her life to fighting for elder justice and personal autonomy. Beyond her entertainment ventures—such as heading Archangel Films LA and producing the sci-fi feature Unbelievable!!!!!—Fawcette became widely recognized for her deeply personal and courageous ba...

Ariel Wilson Gbenedio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), transformational speaker, and dedicated advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. With nearly a decade of experience across diverse clinical settings—including crisis residential treatment and outpatient care—Ariel has become a trusted voice for those navigating the darkest chapters of their lives. Her work is rooted in a...

Amy has spent her career at the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and human potential. She has served as CMO of Fortune 500 and public technology companies, led marketing for an AI unicorn, served as CEO of mission-driven organizations, and built platforms designed to help people see what is possible in themselves and others. Episode 338 Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper Guest: Amy...

Shawn LaRé Brinkley, MS, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the visionary CEO and President of Living Loved Healing. With over a decade of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to understanding the "why" behind the human experience, working with individuals and couples to navigate the complexities of trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Her practice...

Andrea Suchin is a dedicated caregiver advocate, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Wuggle™ (https://wuggleme.com/), a wellness company centered on improving nervous-system health through restorative sleep. Her professional mission is deeply rooted in her personal history; after her husband, Craig, was diagnosed with behavioral frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at age 54, Andrea’s world shifte...

Dr. Marie-Ange Tagne is an author and distinguished electrical engineer whose work impacts the lives of billions of technology users around the world. Her career is built on a foundation of technical excellence and a relentless drive to bridge the gap between complex engineering and user-focused product strategy. She has held pivotal roles at some of the world’s most influential technology compani...

Michelle Edgar is a multifaceted force in the entertainment industry, celebrated for her ability to build brands and ignite change. With over a decade of executive leadership, Michelle has shaped creative marketing strategies and secured high-level partnerships at industry giants including Epic Records, ICM Partners, Warner Bros. Records, and Redlight Management. As Head of Partnerships at LiveXLi...

Jeremy Hamburgh is a California-based coach and the founder of My Best Social Life , an organization dedicated to helping neurodivergent adults develop the skills necessary to find community, friendship, and romantic connections. Before transitioning into his current role, Jeremy served as a prosecutor in New York City, where he honed his ability to communicate persuasively. He draws a direct para...

Sunny Stone is a multifaceted artist, producer, and filmmaker whose work is as profound as her journey of survival is resilient. Born in New York, Sunny’s early childhood was defined by unimaginable adversity. After being kidnapped and subsequently abandoned by her mother, who struggled with severe mental illness and substance addiction, Sunny and her older brother were forced to navigate a world...

Gina Maier Vincent is a visionary thought leader, master motivator, author, and empowerment entrepreneur renowned for her vivacious energy and unfiltered approach to transformation. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Gina brings a distinct, fast-paced, straight-shooting East Coast drive to her current home in Southern California, where she guides high achievers worldwide to step out of stag...

Breon Rydell is a celebrated Irish singer-songwriter, poet and intellectual whose creative output is inextricably linked to a childhood defined by a staggering act of violence. At the hear of his interview with Jeanne is the discussion of the unexplained murder of his brother at the hands of classmates when Breon was just a young boy. This early encounter with senseless brutality left an indelible...

Robert Mestman is an Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney who has dedicated more than 24 years to criminal prosecution and public safety. A graduate cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Robert has spent the vast majority of his professional life in public service. His career is defined by a commitment to the fair administr...

In this compelling episode, Jeanne sits down with Dominic to explore a journey of radical change. Raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California by his single mother, Marysol, Dominic grew up alongside three brothers in an environment where the absence of a figure and systemic pressure created significant hurdles. Come learn how this young man's story of resilience can inspire others to change...

Eric Lichtblau is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and best-selling author known for his deep dives into the most pressing issues of national security, civil rights, and political extremism. Having spent years at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Lichtblau has built a career on exposing the hidden structures of power and prejudice. His latest work, American Reich: A Murd...

Jill Lloyd joins this episode to share a journey defined by both professional excellence and uncanny timing. For 33 years, Jill was a cornerstone of the Orange County community, serving as the high-profile publicist and media face of the OC Fair. In her interview, she reflects on the high-energy world of community events and how her decades spent managing public narratives eventually prepared her...

Trip Oldfield serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of Orange County, a non-sectarian organization dedicated to strengthening the community through comprehensive social services. For over 45 years, JFCS has acted as a vital safety net, providing a wide array of programs designed to support individuals and families through life’s most difficult trans...

In this episode, host Jeanne Pepper and Addie discuss the intersection of trauma and the public eye. They explore the emotional toll of accountability and the strength required to stand firm when the world is watching. Addie’s insights serve as a vital reminder that healing is not a linear process, but a courageous act of defiance. Her story isn't just about what happened to her; it’s about who sh...

In this episode, Brandi joins host Jeanne Pepper for a raw and necessary conversation about the reality of filicide and the "broken" status of child welfare departments. They discuss the legislative hurdles Brandi has overcome, the bipartisan support for The Rowan Act, and the importance of holding CPS directors accountable for failures in background checks and investigation protocols. It is a sto...

Shereen Rahming is a children’s author, educator, and activist whose journey began in Belize, where she was born and raised before bringing her vibrant cultural perspective to Southern California. Her background as an immigrant and a woman of color deeply informs her work as an educator and her commitment to fostering inclusive environments for children. While living in Ladera Ranch, Shereen becam...